Williams plans to rejoin Dolphins

NFL - The Beat

May 24, 2005

The Miami Dolphins' mysterious dance with running back Ricky Williams seems to have taken a new turn. According to a report on espn.com quoting the Palm Beach Post, Leigh Steinberg, the player's agent, said Williams will report to training camp in July and that he "absolutely" plans to rejoin the team.

In other Dolphins news, the team signed free-agent DT Keith Traylor to a two-year contract Monday. Traylor was released by New England earlier this month. To make room for Traylor, the Dolphins waived LB Billy Strother.

Traylor's acquisition is important because of the uncertainty surrounding DT Tim Bowens. The Miami Herald reported that Bowens, 32, is pondering retirement after missing most of last season with a back injury. In addition, DT Larry Chester is recovering from reconstructive knee surgery but said earlier this month that he would participate in training camp.

PATS SIGN BROWN

New England signed WR Troy Brown, nearly two months after it released the 12-year veteran in a cost-cutting move. Terms of the deal weren't disclosed.

The team saved $5 million against next season's salary cap by not picking up Brown's option March 1.

Meanwhile, Patriots LB Tedy Bruschi told a Boston TV station he was unsure if he would play this season. Bruschi suffered a mild stroke earlier this year

ELSEWHERE

Chicago released DB R.W. McQuarters. Last season, he switched from cornerback to safety and also returned punts. . . . Indianapolis rookie LB Tyjuan Hagler, expected to vie for the backup job in the middle behind projected starter Gary Brackett, will miss at least the next three months while recovering from surgery on a sports hernia. OLB Kendyll Pope, a former Florida State standout, may move inside. He played in two games as a rookie. . . . Denver P Todd Sauerbrun pleaded guilty to driving while impaired and was placed on a year's unsupervised probation. . . . New Cleveland Coach Romeo Crennel told the Cleveland Plain Dealer he wants DE Kenard Lang -- a former Evans and University of Miami standout -- to move to outside linebacker. But Crennel also said Lang's absence from offseason workouts have kept him from knowing how much work Lang still needs to handle a position switch.